Count Your Blessings

By Sydney S. Reynolds

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

One of the greatest blessings we receive because of our faith in Jesus Christ is answers to our prayers. When Jim was a little boy, he had a pair of spurs. One day when he came in from riding his horse, he was disobedient, and his mother sent him to his room. He was so angry he threw his spurs down the stairs. Later he told his mother he was sorry. The next time he wanted to ride his horse, he couldn’t find the spurs. He looked everywhere. Finally he knelt and prayed to Heavenly Father. When he finished praying, he started looking again—and found them. This experience was the beginning of Jim’s testimony that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.

Praying sincerely to Heavenly Father makes it easier for us to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can teach us, guide us, and help us feel peace in our hearts. These are some of the blessings that come when we have faith in Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we need strength because life is hard for us. Christy wanted to memorize the Articles of Faith and earn her Gospel in Action award. It was extra hard for her because she has a disease called cerebral palsy. But Christy had faith the Lord would help her. She listened to the tapes of the Articles of Faith songs over and over. She practiced hard, learned to sing all the songs, and earned her award. Her family and friends were blessed by her good example.

When we count our blessings, we can say, “My prayers are answered, I receive guidance and comfort, and I can receive strength to overcome trials.” Faith in Jesus Christ truly blesses our lives.

Instructions

Use page 5 to record some of the blessings you are thankful for. Then, on the other three booklet pages, record any experiences in which you or someone in your family received an answer to prayer, guidance from the Holy Ghost, or strength and comfort. To make a thank-you book, cut on the dotted lines, assemble the pages, and fasten the edge. Put the book in your journal to help you remember to count your blessings.

Counting My Blessings

My name is _______________________________.

I am _________ years old.

Today is ______________________.

These are some of the blessings I am grateful for:

_______________________________________

Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers (see Morm. 9:21).

_______________________________________

The Holy Ghost guides me and helps me choose the right (see John 14:16, 26).

_______________________________________

I receive strength and comfort when I have trials (see Alma 36:3).

_______________________________________

Sharing Time Ideas

Make large, simple puzzles, each in a different color, from outline drawings of a home, a family, the earth, and a church building. Pass out the pieces to the children. Discuss some of the things we can be thankful for. Prepare color cards matching the colors used in the puzzles. While you sing songs about gratitude, home, family, church, and this beautiful world, shuffle the cards. When the music stops, hold up the card that is on top. Ask a child with a puzzle piece the same color as the card you hold up to name something he or she is thankful for; then post the piece. Continue until all the puzzles are assembled. Have a child read D&C 59:7. Ask what are some of the ways we express our thanks. Let the children draw pictures of things they are thankful for; suggest they make their pictures into puzzles and do this activity for family home evening.
Ask the children to name some of the people in the scriptures and Church history who received strength to overcome trials because of their faith in the Lord. Have each class choose a story and present a brief skit to dramatize it. Possible stories: the people of Alma—Mosiah 24:8–22; the sons of Helaman—Alma 57:19–27; Ruth and Naomi—Ruth 1:1–17, 22; Ruth 2:1–2, 7–12; Daniel and his friends—Dan. 1:3–17; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—Dan. 3; David and Goliath—1 Sam. 17:39–51. Read Alma 36:3 together; share your own witness that the Lord will support those who trust in Him.

Photographs by Superstock, Michael Schoenfeld, and John Luke